Libyans mark four years after uprising

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 01:25

Thousands of Libyans mark the fourth anniversary of 2011's uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, as the Egyptian President calls for an international coalition to intervene in the conflict-torn country. Yiming Woo reports.

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Thousands of Libyans gather to mark four years after the uprising that toppled former leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
The country's transition has been plagued with political infighting, rival governments and a growing Islamist militant presence.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for an international coalition to intervene.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT, ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI, SAYING:
"What is going on in Libya could change this country into a breeding ground that will threaten the whole region, and not only Egypt. Egypt, the Mediterranean basin and Europe have to deal with this problem because the mission was unaccomplished, was unfinished by our European friends. We abandoned the Libyan people as prisoners to extremist militias."
Days earlier, a video released by Islamic State showed the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya.
But in Tripoli, many are determined to be optimistic.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALED KARSHEENI, LIBYAN CITIZEN, SAYING:
"Libya will be free despite the conditions and the conspiracies. We are going to celebrate even if former general Khalifa Haftar and his supporters, and Egypt's President Sisi want to ruin our joy of February 17. We will celebrate despite the pain."
The UN says hundreds of civilians have been killed and 400,000 displaced inside Libya since the summer.